Kwon Soon-woo became the first South Korean tennis player to win a men's tour title in 18 years.

Kwon, No. 82 in world rankings, claimed his maiden ATP Tour title at the Astana Open on Sunday in Kazakhstan, defeating James Duckworth of Australia, ranked No. 65, 2-0 in the final.

It marks the first time for a South Korean to claim an ATP title since 2003 when the retired Lee Hyung-taik won the Sydney International. 

Kwon won 86 percent of his first-serve points in the game. 

With the victory, Kwon is expected to rise to crack the top 60 in the next world rankings.